Trip to Damme, a photo from West-Vlaanderen, Flanders

Photographer's Note

This is the pictures that I have planned to show here for a few years but I put off many times.
I was in Bruges four years ago. I walked around a lot but what I was interested most was the canal to Damme. We have seen so many wonderful views of the canal by John so I wanted also to try. John makes his bike trip, I can't ride a bike so I went on a boat trip by Lamme Goedzak. It was very nice but I was a bit disappointed with my pictures.

Here the view of the bikers going along the canal. I imagined that it could be John :).

Damme is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, six kilometres northeast of Brugge (Bruges). In the 13th century, Damme was the port for Bruges, to which it was linked by the river Reie. The river has now been canalised into the long, straight, treelined and picturesque Damse Vaart, which continues across the Dutch border to Sluis. The most popular ways of travelling to Damme are by canal boat that runs during the summer high season or all year round by bus or bicycle.

Two Workshops will follow.
In WS#1 - the well-known view of the mill and bridge in Damme.
In WS#2 - On the way back to Bruges.

Not as good as John's pictures but I hope you will be interested anyway. And better to see them in a large format.

I am very worried about our friend Paja. He wrote how sick and weak he was feeling and he hasn't posted anything for a few days. Let's hope he will recover soon.

ikeharel, holmertz, pierrefonds, jhm, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102700) 2020-12-15 2:37

Hello Malgo,
We probably all think of John when we see this photo and where it was taken. But where does he keep his camera? And does his wife usually accompany hin on his bicycle tours? ;-)
Both WS are more beautiful in the sense that they show the canal and the trees on the sides, as we recognize them from John's photos. But this is a composition that suits my taste better, not just for the inclusion of people but for the fine colours and the contrasts of red, green and yellow.
Best regards,
Gert

pierrefonds (114448) 2020-12-15 5:35

Hi Malgo,

The presence of the cyclists is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the houses. The light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2020-12-15 9:15

Hello Malgo,

Indeed I've here maybe totally made thousand picture during the forty years, sometimes good and bad, of course the best become showing.
This couple are Dutchmen, it's very difficult make a picture of the boat, but you deed very well.
Yes, I've here since my childhood much hours spent.
Also in the winter if skater, now can this not more, to much people in the winter on the canal, to dangerous.
It was difficult for you to the trip along the canal toward Sluis this is vey lovely.
Of course this shall not are the most beautiful place that you brought a visit in world, but I know not better, you know I am no traveler.
**Paja was the last day very sick, maybe has he Covid-19, I hope not the damn virus, I am also very afraid, but keep me by the rules**
Malgo, I wish you still much travel pleasure

Best regards,
John.

jean113 (27853) 2020-12-15 9:47

Hello Malgo, three good pictures from your boat trip.
It is always interesting to see a different person痴 interpretation of a place that we might be familiar with.
I like all three pictures for different reasons; the inclusion of the cyclists here, the light on the trees in #1 and the composition in #2.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

Silvio1953 (221593) 2020-12-15 10:00

Ciao cara Malgo, lovely composition with bikemen and nice houses,wonderful natural colors, fine details, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, thanks for beautiful WS too, ciao Silvio

Tue (92360) 2020-12-15 10:31

Hello Joh... eh Malgo, ;-)
When I saw this picture on the main page, I immediately thought it was posted by John and I believe he also posted pictures of the boat you took this photo from. The orange roof stands out so well from the green trees and pale blue sky. The composition is very well balanced also.
Lars

PaulVDV (62892) 2020-12-15 11:03

Hello Malgo,
Seeing the thumnail I thought of John.
I've never taken the Lamme Goedzak. I walked from Bruges to Damme and Oostkerke and back to Bruges (while taking pictures most of the time).
It's funny that John recognized the cyclists.
Also here I have a preference for the first picture in the WS.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (139266) 2020-12-15 16:18

Ciao Malgo,in fact i recognize very well the famous perspectives of John,especially in the 2 WS. Nice memories of your trip there when you met Cricri if i remember well,and great quality too. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

ifege (48085) 2020-12-15 19:14

Hi Malgo
Now you could easily have left us thinking that it is John in the photo, although I can see that this rider isn't carrying a camera. Good canal photos.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116490) 2020-12-15 22:50

Hello dear Malgorzata and have
a nice day
At first looking at this photo
I thought that it was captured by JHM...
then I saw that it was belonged
to you and I red carefully
your useful notes...
I like this peaceful landscape
and I would like to be there
for the rest of my life...
welldone
regards
costantino

jemaflor (147128) 2020-12-15 23:23

Hi Malgo,
Nice photo with interesting colors and with good effect with the view of the details of these cyclists ... as John photos, maybe a frame with more water in the bottom of your photo, Good note, tfs.

foxy (3461) 2020-12-16 5:56

Hello MALgo,
:-) why put off ..... what I gathered John loves it.
The bikers could be Rob too.
Now, what I see the photos are equally as good as John's signature trademark ( in photo shooting ). Esp the WS1 & WS2. You got the 'touch'.
I like the scene you captured , seeing on the boat. Typical Belgium houses with the straight trees-line along the long canal on a calm breezy day ( I see ).
I was wondering, since you were in Damme, I was surprised that you haven't met John . Maybe John can shows you how to ride a bike :-)
Thanks for finally posted these pictures.
Loong

jmdias (115156) 2020-12-16 8:14

malgo

for a moment I thought it was a photo of john with these trees, white houses and a canal with bikers. haha. nice elements and framing here despite not so sharp.

take care

jorge

ChrisJ (171822) 2020-12-16 8:14

Hello Malgo,

Adequate sharpness & the red tiled roof contrasts well with the blue sky. The 2 cyclists animate the scene and the fg canal acts as a frame. Tfs!

ikeharel (113345) 2020-12-19 5:38

Well, here is Jogn riding there...
Just my humor, Malgo, but the picture,. title and the place reminded me just that.
Lovely picture along a canal.
Have a nice weekend,
Ike

*** Mud, no frost. we do not have snow in winter along the coastal plains in Israel. Thanks.

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-12-20 2:16

Hello Malgo,
This definitively can't be John because there's no camera around his neck and I'm sure he'll always has it with him 😉 But I can imagine you have to think of him when you see an older gentleman cycling here in Flanders.
Well done
Have a nice Sunday, Groet Rob

pajaran (115891) 2020-12-25 22:49

Pozdrav.
Lepo zelenilo i crveni krov od crepa, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i dobrim tekstom.
Lepa fotografija, priroda i kuca na obali.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja.